About People & Business Transformation in an AI Driven World
A practical, immersive day for the people shaping how we work. New perspectives. Advanced thinking skills. Human possibilities.
The human advantage
What if the next big shift
starts with how we think?
AI is changing the business conversation. But people, and the way they think, remain at the heart of transformation.
Join Nicola Tyler, Paul Cobban and a room of curious minds to explore critical, creative and collaborative thinking. Build perspective, generate new ideas and turn possibility into practical action.
Two masterclasses. Real conversations. One application lab.
01 / The programme
A day to shift
your perspective.
From the human advantage to business transformation. Conversations, masterclasses and a space to put new thinking to work.
08:00BreakRegistration & refreshments
Arrive, connect and settle in for a day of new perspectives.
09:00ConversationOpening remarksThami NkadimengThami Nkadimeng
A welcome from the programme director, setting the scene for the day.
09:05ConversationNew Thinking CapabilitiesThami NkadimengThami Nkadimeng
Why and how thinking has rapidly become a strategic HR imperative in a business world dominated by AI. Setting the scene for future-proofing your business.
09:15ConversationAI & The Human AdvantageNicola TylerNicola Tyler
Critical, creative and collaborative thinking for new people practices in an AI-enabled world. Explore five people priorities: recruiting and retaining talent, employee mental health, company culture, business transformation and developing future leaders.
10:15Break · To be confirmedCreativity, Coffee & Cognitive CakeHeidie Bauer (TBC)Heidie Bauer (TBC)
A pause to refuel and continue the conversation.
10:45Conversation · To be confirmedHuman Ingenuity & Creativity
Why human creativity has shifted from a luxury to a necessity. Explore the mathematical need for creativity, the neuroscience of cognitive change and lateral thinking as a life skill for adaptability and change. Presenter to be confirmed.
11:45Conversation · To be confirmedIn Good CompanyModerated by Nicola Tyler · Panelists TBCModerated by Nicola Tyler · Panelists TBC
An expert panel discussion on rethinking business transformation. A challenging conversation about how AI has shifted business from bods to bots, why shifting minds takes time, and how AI can support agility and transformation agendas.
12:30BreakFood for ThoughtShandi · Neuroscientist & chefShandi · Neuroscientist & chef
A lunch menu designed with brain health, cognitive functioning and concentration in mind.
13:30MasterclassTransform Differently™Paul CobbanPaul Cobban
A masterclass in business transformation. Tools and techniques for managing human thinking, creating and broadening perception. Discover the DBS method and explore a practical framework for transformation.
14:15MasterclassThink Differently™Nicola TylerNicola Tyler
A masterclass in lateral thinking. Learn to deliberately disrupt fixed patterns and move toward possibility. Includes official Edward de Bono learning content, presented by an authorised and accredited master trainer.
15:00Break · To be confirmedCreativity, Coffee & Cognitive CakeHeidie Bauer (TBC)Heidie Bauer (TBC)
Time to pause, connect and reflect before the application lab.
15:30LabApplication Lab
Audience Q&A and practical application for leadership, talent management and learning and development. Surface new directions in thinking to accelerate people-driven results.
16:15Conversation · To be confirmedA conversation about thinking differentlyNicola Tyler & Simon Ellis (TBC)Nicola Tyler & Simon Ellis (TBC)
Why, what and how did you achieve success by thinking differently? A Q&A exploring how to keep thinking differently into the future.
17:00ConversationClosing remarksThami NkadimengThami Nkadimeng
Bringing the day's thinking together and looking ahead to its application.
18:00Invitation onlyVIP Cocktail ReceptionPaul Cobban & VIP guestsPaul Cobban & VIP guests
An invitation-only C-suite conversation about the secret sauce of successful transformation. Separate from the daytime programme.
Draft programme. Times, speakers, date and venue are subject to change. Proposed panelists and unconfirmed contributors are marked above.
02 / The people
Different minds.
Shared possibilities.
Meet the voices in the draft programme. Proposed expert panelists are marked as to be confirmed.
Nicola Tyler
Founder & CEO, The Thinking Company
Nicola Tyler
Strategist, speaker and coach working where strategy, lateral thinking, leadership and creativity meet. Trained alongside Professor Edward de Bono and a certified de Bono master trainer.
AI & The Human Advantage · Lateral Thinking Masterclass
Paul Cobban
Former Chief Transformation & Data Officer, DBS Bank
Paul Cobban
Paul brings his experience of business transformation at DBS Bank to a practical masterclass on human thinking, perception and the DBS transformation method.
Transform Differently™ Masterclass · VIP reception
Thami Nkadimeng
Message Architect & Programme Director
Thami Nkadimeng
A host and moderator of corporate and industry conversations across Africa and internationally, with nearly two decades of experience in communications and public affairs.
Opening remarks · New Thinking Capabilities · Closing
Sne Magagula
CHRO, Tiger Brands
Panelist TBC
Sne Magagula
Business leader focused on growing high-impact teams, igniting human potential and creating sustainable value, agility and growth.
Proposed expert panel
Quinton Douman
Chief Learning Officer, PPS
Panelist TBC
Quinton Douman
Chief Learning Officer at PPS and founder of Mutual Mind Academy, focused on augmented workforces, AI adoption and workforce transformation.
Proposed expert panel
Simon Ellis
Co-founder & CEO, Jem
Panelist TBC
Simon Ellis
Co-founder of Jem, an HR technology platform using WhatsApp to connect deskless employees with workplace services including payslips, leave and earned wages.
Proposed expert panel · Afternoon Q&A
03 / Your place in the room
For people who
move people forward.
For leaders turning human potential into meaningful business change, across functions and industries.
HR & Talent
HR executives, talent specialists, learning and development leaders, wellbeing officers and workforce planners.
Business & Strategy
CEOs, COOs and strategy and growth directors navigating complex business environments.
Change & Innovation
Transformation officers, change management leads and organisational development practitioners.
Technology & AI
CIOs, technology executives, AI strategy leads and founders building the future of work.
04 / Be in the room
Invest in a
different perspective.
Delegate options from the draft programme. Send a booking enquiry to confirm availability and arrange your registration.
Early bird: buy 2, get 1 free
Book and pay by 15 November 2026. Delegate names can follow.
1 to 3 delegates
Individual
R9 194.25
per person, including 15% VAT
R7 995 excluding VAT
A new perspective starts with you.
Enquire about booking4 to 9 delegates
Team
R7 929.25
per person, including 15% VAT
R6 895 excluding VAT
Bring your team into the conversation.
Enquire about booking10 or more delegates
Corporate
R6 894.25
per person, including 15% VAT
R5 995 excluding VAT
Includes a VIP reception invitation for one C-suite executive from your organisation.
Enquire about bookingAll options include the full-day programme, refreshments, lunch, free parking and a delegate workbook with an official Edward de Bono thinking tool training manual.
Draft booking terms
Full payment must clear before the event. Admission requires payment or a confirmation letter from the organisers.
Event cancellation: 100% refund. Event deferment: delegate fees are non-refundable. Delegate substitutions are permitted.
Delegate cancellation 60 days or more before the event: 50% refund. At 59 days or less, a substitute delegate may be nominated.
Photographs and video may be taken for event communications. Notify event staff if you do not wish to appear. Registration and communication preferences will be confirmed with your booking.
These terms come from the draft programme and will be confirmed during registration. No booking or payment is taken on this page.
Stay in the loop
Keep your curiosity.
We’ll keep you posted.
Get programme updates and registration news for Think Differently™. The programme is still taking shape.